repeet
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2017
- Threads
- 16
- Messages
- 698
- Reaction score
- 694
- Location
- Fort Mill, S.C.
- Website
- jesus7feasts.fyi
- Vehicle(s)
- '23 BRZ
- Thread starter
- #1
Two Step Performance was kind enough to have a "Black Friday" Sale and I was able to buy a K-Tuner for 10% off. Thank you Two Step Performance. I did try to use the "CivicX" code to get an additional 5% off, but it was disallowed. No problem, I understand. I bought it from Two Step Performance so that I could get their much lauded "custom tune". Checked the box, got the email, downloaded the tune and saved it. So far, easy.
Downloading, installing, and registering/marrying the software was involved, but not hard. Just take your time and allow the software plenty of time to look around and do its thing.
I am not looking to see how far reprogramming can push my car. I'm just looking to undo the "nerfs" that make the car feel like it's trying to restrain you. I'm looking for that pre-computer controlled car feel, and I got it.
Because I wanted the most "efficient" (aggressive) ignition and valve timing, I started with the K-Tuner 19.5/23 base map.
First I went to the global settings. I started by moving the "Pedal Curve" to one notch over factory, because I'm really not interested in pushing the car to the limit, just "improve" its feel. Next I disabled "Rev Hang". I'm happy with these setting because engaging the "Sport" button increases the "Pedal Curve" yet again. After a week of driving it I think that it "feels" just right. I do still have to wait for the car's engine to stop spinning after I turn the car off, because the flywheel is too heavy for the engine displacement that we have. My next "un-nerf" will be to install a lighter single mass flywheel.
The next adjustments where the three "Maps". For the first "Map" I chose "factory spool", "factory boost" for normal, and "factory boost" for "Sport" mode. This is my default setting and my "Valet Mode". Also it is my snow and ice mode. Even though I still have the aggressive valve and ignition timing, the spool and boost come on in the factory fashion. It feels to me like it should be safe for slippery weather while still retaining the solid "grip" feel that the timing tune provides.
For the second "Map" I chose "improved spool I", "Factory Boost" for normal and 19.5 psi for "Sport" mode. This is my normal driving mode.
For the third "Map" I chose '"improved spool I". 19.5 psi for normal and 21.5 psi for "Sport" mode. Notice I'm not taking full advantage of the 19.5/23 psi base map.
After a couple of hundred miles I'm really happy with the results, and don't plan to make any changes for a while.
The results weren't really what I expected after all of the wild praise that I see here on the forum. There's just so much a liter and a half can do with a car weighing it down regardless of how many atmospheres you can cram into it. That's not to say that it isn't enough power that I'm not worried about my engine, because my Map 3 definitely concerns me. I need this car to last me at least 200,000 miles and 300,000 would be better. So when the first time I pushed "Map 3" and the boost shot up to 22 psi and hung there through the pull, I realized that they are serious with is tune stuff.
With the posts I'm reading about head gaskets blowing/leaking, I decided that 21.5 was all the boost I wanted to apply to an engine that I want to last for a decade, and then only sparingly.
I'm sure that if I went for the full 23 psi or the 26 or 27 psi that the TSP tune provides, that I would really be impressed at the performance. But not at a cost I'm willing to pay.
The bottom line is that I'm impressed at the change of feel that the K-Tuner provides. It gives the impression of a firm grip that this car should have had from the factory, and improves the "scoot" that is available when it is pushed.
Nothing can replace displacement, but for change of character, it is exactly what we need.
Downloading, installing, and registering/marrying the software was involved, but not hard. Just take your time and allow the software plenty of time to look around and do its thing.
I am not looking to see how far reprogramming can push my car. I'm just looking to undo the "nerfs" that make the car feel like it's trying to restrain you. I'm looking for that pre-computer controlled car feel, and I got it.
Because I wanted the most "efficient" (aggressive) ignition and valve timing, I started with the K-Tuner 19.5/23 base map.
First I went to the global settings. I started by moving the "Pedal Curve" to one notch over factory, because I'm really not interested in pushing the car to the limit, just "improve" its feel. Next I disabled "Rev Hang". I'm happy with these setting because engaging the "Sport" button increases the "Pedal Curve" yet again. After a week of driving it I think that it "feels" just right. I do still have to wait for the car's engine to stop spinning after I turn the car off, because the flywheel is too heavy for the engine displacement that we have. My next "un-nerf" will be to install a lighter single mass flywheel.
The next adjustments where the three "Maps". For the first "Map" I chose "factory spool", "factory boost" for normal, and "factory boost" for "Sport" mode. This is my default setting and my "Valet Mode". Also it is my snow and ice mode. Even though I still have the aggressive valve and ignition timing, the spool and boost come on in the factory fashion. It feels to me like it should be safe for slippery weather while still retaining the solid "grip" feel that the timing tune provides.
For the second "Map" I chose "improved spool I", "Factory Boost" for normal and 19.5 psi for "Sport" mode. This is my normal driving mode.
For the third "Map" I chose '"improved spool I". 19.5 psi for normal and 21.5 psi for "Sport" mode. Notice I'm not taking full advantage of the 19.5/23 psi base map.
After a couple of hundred miles I'm really happy with the results, and don't plan to make any changes for a while.
The results weren't really what I expected after all of the wild praise that I see here on the forum. There's just so much a liter and a half can do with a car weighing it down regardless of how many atmospheres you can cram into it. That's not to say that it isn't enough power that I'm not worried about my engine, because my Map 3 definitely concerns me. I need this car to last me at least 200,000 miles and 300,000 would be better. So when the first time I pushed "Map 3" and the boost shot up to 22 psi and hung there through the pull, I realized that they are serious with is tune stuff.
With the posts I'm reading about head gaskets blowing/leaking, I decided that 21.5 was all the boost I wanted to apply to an engine that I want to last for a decade, and then only sparingly.
I'm sure that if I went for the full 23 psi or the 26 or 27 psi that the TSP tune provides, that I would really be impressed at the performance. But not at a cost I'm willing to pay.
The bottom line is that I'm impressed at the change of feel that the K-Tuner provides. It gives the impression of a firm grip that this car should have had from the factory, and improves the "scoot" that is available when it is pushed.
Nothing can replace displacement, but for change of character, it is exactly what we need.
Sponsored